The RWD-14 was born as an Army Cooperation Aircraft for Polish defense but fared poorly in the ensuing German invasion of the country in September 1939.
In 1936, RWD of Poland flew - for the first time - a monoplane "army cooperation aircraft" design, the entry becoming the RWD-14 "Czapla" ("Heron") in service. As an army cooperation platform, the aircraft would be charged with over-battlefield roles including - but not limited to - artillery-spotting, general reconnaissance, liaison and - in some cases - Close-Air Support (CAS) for ground-based "friendlies". For inter-war designs like the RWD-14, this often entailed qualities such as an inherent Short Take-Off and Landing (STOL) capability as well as rough-field operations from unprepared airstrips.
The RWD-14, introduced into service in 1939, was used by the forces of Poland and, subsequently, Axis-aligned Romania for its time in the air.
The aircraft was born in a 1933 requirement by the Polish Air Force seeking such a platform and one to replace the in-service Lublin R-XIII which was just years old since its own introduction. RWD engineers went to work in developing the new model - the design relying on experiences gained through the "RWD-8" trainer type - indeed mimicking its configuration and high wing mounting - and evolved to become the "RWD-12". This evolved design was not furthered so the newer "RWD-14" was pursued instead.
In testing, the prototype RWD-14 managed to best a competing Lublin offering (the R-XXI) and additional work in 1937 resulted in the "RWD-14a" in an attempt to improve performance. Two prototypes were built to the standard but both were eventually lost in testing, leading to yet another - a forth - prototype in the series to come online in 1938 as the "RWD-14b". It was this entry that satisfied Polish Air Force authorities and was ordered into serial production to stem from state-owned Lublin Aircraft Works (LWS) - hence the aircraft appearing in some sources as the "LWS Czapla".
In all, production would reach 65 total units as well as the four aforementioned prototypes covering its development. Manufacture of the model spanned from 1938 until 1939 prior to the start of World War 2 (1939-1945).
The RWD-14b was given a running length of 29.5 feet, a wingspan of 39 feet, and a height of 9.9 feet. Empty weight reached 2,700lb against a gross weight limit of around 3,750lb. Power was had through a single PZL G-1620B Mors-II series 9-cylinder, air-cooled radial piston engine outputting 470 horsepower and driving a two-bladed propeller unit (fixed-pitch) at the nose. Performance specs included a maximum speed of 153 miles-per-hour, a cruising speed of 145 mph, a range out to 420 miles, and a service ceiling up to 16,700 feet. Rate-of-climb reached a useful 1,200 feet-per-minute.
If armed, the aircraft would carry a single fixed, forward-firing 7.92mm wz.33 machine gun for the pilot and a single 7.7mm Vickers K machine gun on a trainable / flexible mounting at the rear cockpit for the observer. Some forms were also equipped with critical radio equipment for airborne communications and a camera for reconnaissance work.
A key quality of the RWD-14 was its high-mounted, parasol wing mainplane structure which gave unobstructed views of the action below and aided in drag-and-lift for the "low-and-slow" aircraft design. Wood and metal were used throughout the aircraft's overall construction with stretched canvas and plywood featured in its skinning. The "tail-dragger" undercarriage was wheeled though fixed in flight, simplifying construction and maintenance at the expense of added drag. The crewmen were seated in line in open-air cockpits with redundant control schemes giving the rear operator / observer the capability to also pilot the aircraft is needed.
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Nazi Germany (captured, not operated); Poland; Romania (captured); Soviet Union (captured, not operated).
(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)
✓Close-Air Support (CAS)
Developed to operate in close proximity to active ground elements by way of a broad array of air-to-ground ordnance and munitions options.
✓Intelligence-Surveillance-Reconnaissance (ISR), Scout
Surveil ground targets / target areas to assess environmental threat levels, enemy strength, or enemy movement.
✓Training (General)
Developed ability to be used as a dedicated trainer for student pilots (typically under the supervision of an instructor).
✓Training (Basic)
Used in the aerial training role to cover basics of flight, general handling, take-off/landing actions, and related.
RUGGED AIRFRAME
Inherent ability of airframe to take considerable damage.
EXTENDED RANGE PERFORMANCE
Capability to travel considerable distances through onboard fuel stores.
BAILOUT PROCESS
Manual process of allowing its pilot and / or crew to exit in the event of an airborne emergency.
CREW-MANAGED
Beyond a pilot, the aircraft takes advantage of additional crew specialized in specific functions aboard the aircraft.
TAIL GUN
Defensive rear-facing gun position to neutralize enemy targets emerging from the rear.
CAMERA EQUIPMENT
Payload supports photographic equipment providing still and / or real-time image / video results.
Length
29.5 ft (9.00 m)
Width/Span
39.0 ft (11.90 m)
Height
9.8 ft (3.00 m)
Empty Wgt
2,701 lb (1,225 kg)
MTOW
3,748 lb (1,700 kg)
Wgt Diff
+1,047 lb (+475 kg)
(Showcased structural values pertain to the RWD-14b production variant)
monoplane / parasol / straight
Monoplane
Design utilizes a single primary wing mainplane; this represent the most popular mainplane arrangement.
Parasol
Mainplanes are mounted well-above the fuselage dorsal line; typically supported by struts or similar structure.
Straight
The planform involves use of basic, straight mainplane members.
(Structural descriptors pertain to the RWD-14b production variant)
Installed:
1 x PZL G-1620B Mors-II 9-cylinder, air-cooled radial piston engine developing 470 horsepower driving two-bladed propeller unit at the nose.
(Showcased performance specifications pertain to the RWD-14b production variant. Performance specifications showcased above are subject to environmental factors as well as aircraft configuration. Estimates are made when Real Data not available. Compare this aircraft entry against any other in our database or View aircraft by powerplant type)
Typical:
1 x 7.92mm wz.33 machine gun in fixed, forward-firing mounting over the nose synchronized to fire through the spinning propeller blades.
1 x 7.7mm Vickers K machine gun on flexible mounting at rear cockpit.
Supported Types
(Not all ordnance types may be represented in the showcase above)
Hardpoint Mountings:
Ribbon graphics not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. Ribbons are clickable to their respective aerial campaigns / operations / aviation periods.
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Nazi Germany (captured, not operated); Poland; Romania (captured); Soviet Union (captured, not operated).
